A look at the upcoming D2 Championship Series' and who you just may see in Canada's premier division next season.
II.1 Cerebral Assassins
(33522) (19-3) vs NW Alberta Kaboom United
(24812) (20-2) *
Cerebral Assassins started in Season 11 and has steadily improved each season they have played, including making the playoffs every single season. This is their 4th season in II.1 and they do hold a win over Kaboom in the regular season. They also seem to have the advantage of saving some extra enthusiasm for the finals match up. They are lead by their 3 bigs who are all Power Forwards by trade.
Kaboom are a verteran team that have been around since Season 3 and have been in Naismith on two separate occasions, the most recent was season 13. Since then they have played in one of the toughest D2 Conferences in all of Canada. They have reached the finals twice and are looking to make the third time the charm. A lot more of a balanced team than the Cerebral Assassins, Kaboom is lead by Canada NT prospect Sondee Bowie. No way his salary will be affordable in D2 again next season, this seems to be a make it or break it season for Bowie and Kaboom.
Prediction: I think Kaboom is due and their HCA plus slightly more well rounded team will take it. I would not be surprised if CA steals this one with their powerful inside attack though.
II. 2 Shabbies
(25026) (12-10) vs World Alliance
(33584) (19-3)*
II.2 is probably the weakest of Division 2 and unless the champion can make a splash with new acquisitions, they will be in tough to survive a season in Naismith. Shabbies were a 3 seed that have fought their way into the Championship series and are looking to make one more upset. They have been around since season 9 and in II.2 since Season 13. Shabbies are lead by an all Canadian back court that are more known for scoring than defense and that could prove to be their downfall in the finals.
World Alliance has a team of 9 players and only 6 of them are good players. One injury and their chances of promotion could be over for another season. Another team that has only been around since Season 11, World Alliance is more known for their deep cup runs than anything else. Will Andersen their starting Center be enough to win the series? Or will the depth of Shabbies be too much too handle?
Prediction: I do think that World Alliance will take this series. They will need to make a splash though if they want to even consider sticking around more than one season in Naismith.
II.3 BryantFTW444
(33186) (17-5) vs Hamilton Hosers (19-3)*
The toughest of the D2, this is easily the best series to watch in all of Canada with two powerhouses with ridiculous salaries doing battle. Bryant has been around since Season 9 and last season spent some serious cash on SF's and an injury derailed their chances of promotion last season. Bryant is a bit of an older team with 3 of their core players 29 or older. They sold Canadian Xaivier Arel earlier this season and upgraded at both the the PG and PF spot, looking to secure their spot in Naismith next season.
The Hosers on the other hand have the blueprint down of a successful team. Two bigs with high IS and a ton of OD, they will have both an enthusiasm and home court advantage in this series. Around since season 7, the Hosers have recently made the jump to powerhouse in the last season. Lead by their two bigs to score and their Canadian guards to defend, the Hosers are probably the only team in D2 that can stop BryantFTW444.
Prediciton: I think the overpowering OD is going to let the Hosers take this series. If these two teams are in different divisions, they easily move up to Naismith. These are the best two teams and I think that whoever wins has no problem staying up for seasons to come. The loser however will be hard pressed to keep their teams in tact next season